20 Ballparks in 21 Days
On May 25, 2025, Dad and I began our fifth massive baseball road trip — this time to the seven Midwest states west of the Mississippi. We visited all seven Minor League teams in this region, plus all five American Association independent professional teams, seven collegiate summer league teams in three different leagues, and the College World Series! And as always, we captured sights along the way: history, art, natural places, and more!
Full stories and episodes below!
Arrival in Kansas City
Dad and I kick off our fifth big ballpark road trip with a flight to Kansas City and some excellent barbecue.
Kansas City Morning
Dad and I start our sightseeing outside the National World War I Museum and Memorial, then visit the outstanding Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
Kansas City Monarchs
Our first Western Midwest ballgame is a visit to Legends Field in Kansas City, Kansas, home of a truly legendary baseball brand: the Kansas City Monarchs.
Off Day at the Arch
We journey east to St. Louis for a visit to The Gateway Arch before settling in for more barbecue in O’Fallon, Missouri.
History & Art in St. Louis
We drive back to St. Louis and Forest Park — hit by a powerful tornado a week earlier — for a pair of world-class museums.
O’Fallon Hoots
Dad and I head to CarShield Field on opening night for a collegiate summer league game between the O’Fallon Hoots and the Cape Catfish.
Springfield, Missouri
We travel to Springfield, Missouri, to investigate the origins of cashew chicken, learn some local history, and play catch.
Springfield Cardinals
Dad and I visit Hammons Field for a division clash between the Double-A Springfield Cardinals and the Northwest Arkansas Naturals.
Wichita, Kansas
We spend a busy afternoon in Wichita, Kansas, exploring the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright, an iconic sculpture by Blackbear Bosin, American art, impressive memorials, and the infamous Wichita Troll.
Wichita Wind Surge
Dad and I travel to Equity Bank Park in Wichita to see the Double-A Wichita Wings host the Tulsa Drillers in a Texas League showdown.
Des Moines, Iowa
We make our one Big Dumb Drive from Wichita to Des Moines, stopping to eat lunch in a vault before sampling the landmarks of Iowa’s capital city.
Iowa Cubs
It’s a big night with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs at Principal Park in Des Moines: a lively crowd, a ballpark tour, and a win for the home team.
Sioux City, Iowa
It’s onward to Sioux City, Iowa, to discover the city’s connection to the Lewis and Clark Expedition and learn more about the history of Siouxland before sitting down for TV and radio interviews.
Sioux City Explorers
Dad and I return to Lewis and Clark Park for a matchup in the American Association of Professional Baseball between the Sioux City Explorers and the Cleburne Railroaders.
Southern South Dakota
We drive into South Dakota to explore the towns where our Czech ancestors settled, then make a trip to “The World’s Only Corn Palace.”
Oahe Zap
It’s Zap vs. Moo as Dad and I visit Hyde Stadium in Pierre, South Dakota, to see a collegiate Independence League game between the Oahe Zap and the visiting Fremont Moo.
Pierre to Bismarck
We spend an early morning seeing the capital of South Dakota before traveling to the capital of North Dakota.
Bismarck Larks
Our next stop is Bismarck Municipal Ballpark, more than 100 years old and home to the Bismarck Larks of the collegiate Northwoods League.
Fargo, North Dakota
We make our way across the plains to Fargo, stopping for spaetzle, contemporary art, and the iconic wood chipper before visiting the mall to see the Roger Maris Museum.
Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
We return to the American Association for an independent game at Newman Outdoor Field between the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks and the visiting Kansas City Monarchs.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Dad and I travel southeast to Minneapolis for a great lunch and a long visit to the outstanding (and free!) Minneapolis Institute of Art.
St. Paul Saints
Ushertainers! A bonanza of ballpark food! A ball pig! It’s a big night of Triple-A baseball as Dad and I see the St. Paul Saints at CHS Field.
St. Paul to Mankato
Dad and I spend the morning touring the sights around downtown St. Paul before hitting the road for Mankato, Minnesota.
Mankato MoonDogs
We return to the collegiate Northwoods League to see the Mankato MoonDogs host the St. Cloud Rox at ISG Field.
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
We get lost in a maze of cornfields, then return to South Dakota to see Sioux Falls, visiting its eponymous water feature.
Sioux Falls Canaries
Dad and I make a trip to The Birdcage to see the independent Sioux Falls Canaries and a celebration of the greatest home run hitter in American Association history.
Omaha, Nebraska
We continue south to Omaha, Nebraska, where we learn a little history and explore the origins of the Reuben sandwich before taking in an outstanding art museum.
Omaha Storm Chasers
It’s Runza Night at Werner Park in Papillion, Nebraska, where Dad and I see the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers host the Iowa Cubs.
Lincoln, Nebraska
We make the short drive from Omaha to Lincoln, Nebraska, stopping at a Vietnam Veterans memorial before exploring the Nebraska state capital.
Lincoln Saltdogs
Dad and I visit Haymarket Park, home of the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers and the independent Lincoln Saltdogs, for a wet Sunday ballgame.
Omaha to Waterloo
We spend more time in Omaha before driving to Waterloo, Iowa, where we learn about one of the most dominant competitors in any sport.
Waterloo Bucks
We’re back in the collegiate Northwoods League to see the Waterloo Bucks take on the Rochester Honkers in a doubleheader at Riverfront Stadium.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Our tour of Cedar Rapids begins with Czech Village and its excellent museum and finishes with a bounty of Midwestern art.
Cedar Rapids Kernels
It’s a big night at the ballpark with the Minor League Cedar Rapids Kernels: a first pitch, live and taped interviews, incredible ballpark food, and a walk-off win for the home team.
Field of Dreams to Clinton
Dad and I get a chance to tour the Field of Dreams Movie Site before heading to Clinton, Iowa, to have Chicken George and learn about lumber.
Clinton LumberKings
We visit NelsonCorp Field, another historic ballpark in Iowa, to see the Prospect League Clinton LumberKings battle the Danville Dans.
Davenport, Iowa
Dad and I tour downtown Davenport, visiting the Figge Art Museum and learning a bit about the region’s German heritage.
Quad Cities River Bandits
Where can you ride a 110-foot-high Ferris wheel during a ballgame? At Modern Woodmen Park in Davenport, Iowa, home of the Quad Cities River Bandits.
Burlington, Iowa
We continue on to Burlington, Iowa, where we drive down the crookedest street in the world before a tour of the town.
Burlington Bees
Into every road trip, a little rain must fall. Our game is postponed, but we still make a brief visit to Community Field, home of the Prospect League Burlington Bees.
College World Series
Dad and I travel across Iowa for the final ballpark of our road trip and the biggest venue of them all — Charles Schwab Field, home of the College World Series.
Negro Leagues Museum
We finish our journey with a drive back to Kansas City, where we indulge in one last barbecue platter before visiting the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
